Method and compositions for the use of botanical extracts in the treatment of viral infections

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to the preparation and use of certain botanical extracts and therapeutic compositions for the treatment of viral infections, cancer, pain, itch, and inflammation. The present disclosure generally relates to antiviral compositions, and more specifically to the preparation of botanical extracts and their use in the treatment of viral infections, cancer, pain associated conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting the replication of a herpesvirus by exposing the herpesvirus to an extract from a plant material chosen from  Sarracenia, Nepenthes, Melissa, Lavandula, Glycyrrhiza, Eleutherococcus, Hypericum, Darlingtonia, Heliamphora, Roridula, Drosera, Dionaea, Aldrovanda, Drosophyllum, Triphyophyllum, Catopsis, Brocchinia, Paepalanthus, Utricularia, Genlisea, Pinguicula, Ibicella, Byblis, Philcoxia, Stylidium,  and  Cephalotus,  wherein the plant material is prepared by steps comprising:
 obtaining fresh plant material let than about ten (10) days following harvest of the plant material;   washing and air drying the plant material;   combining the plant material with a liquid comprising at least one of water, ethanol, and glycerol;   allowing the liquid to extract the plant material at a temperature between about room temperature and simmering for about one (1) to about sixty (60) days, or by boiling for less than about one day to form the liquid extract; and   separating the liquid extract from the plant material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material comprises leaves. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material comprises roots. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant material comprises flowers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the herpesvirus is selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpesvirus 8. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the herpesvirus is an animal herpesvirus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the animal herpesvirus is equine herpesvirus-1. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step combining the liquid extract with a food-grade or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to form a therapeutic composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the food-grade or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is a transdermal-driving carrier/gel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic composition is applied to a mucosal ulceration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic composition is applied to a skin ulceration. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step creating a standardized assay with respect to the ability of the liquid extract to inhibit replication of the herpesvirus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the liquid extract comprises:
 about 50% of a liquid extract of  Sarracenia purpurea  having a biological activity of about fifty (50) viral inhibitory units per milliliter;   about 12% of a liquid extract of  Melissa officinalis  having a biological activity of about eighty (80) viral inhibitory units per milliliter; and   about 20% of a liquid extract of  Lavandula officinalis  having a biological activity of about twenty (20) viral inhibitory units per milliliter.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the liquid extract comprises:
 about 50% of a liquid extract of  Sarracenia purpurea  having a biological activity of about fifty (50) viral inhibitory units per milliliter; and   an extract of the genus  Nepenthes.      
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the herpesvirus is selected from the group consisting of herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpesvirus 8. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a step combining the liquid extract with a food-grade or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to form a therapeutic composition. 
     
     
         17 . A method for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a human herpesvirus infection comprising exposing a human herpes virus to a therapeutic composition formed from a liquid extract of a plant material wherein the plant material is chosen from the group consisting of  Sarracenia, Nepenthes, Melissa, Lavandula, Glycyrrhiza, Eleutherococcus, Hypericum, Darlingtonia, Heliamphora, Roridula, Drosera, Dionaea, Aldrovanda, Drosophyllum, Triphyophyllum, Catopsis, Brocchinia, Paepalanthus, Utricularia, Genlisea, Pinguicula, Ibicella, Byblis, Philcoxia, Stylidium,  and  Cephalotus.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the human herpes virus is herpes simplex virus-1. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the human herpes virus is herpes simplex virus-2. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plant material comprises leaves, roots, or flowers.